Phil Daniels - who played Kevin Wicks on 'EastEnders' from 2006 to 2008 - has called on the BBC to axe the soap after 30 years in favour of something less depressing

Former 'EastEnders' actor Phil Daniels has branded the soap "opium for the masses".

The 56-year-old actor - who played Kevin Wicks on the long-running BBC One soap from 2006 to 2008 - is urging the broadcaster to axe the much-loved drama after it celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier this year.

He said: "I'd take it off the telly if I could. I just think it's run it's course.

"It's nothing to do with any of the acting as I think people do really good work in it.

"I just feel like it's time for something different.

"'EastEnders' and 'Coronation Street' seem a bit like the opium of the masses now. Why don't they try something else for the British public?"

Phil - who featured on Blur's hit 1994 single 'Parklife' - also slammed producers for creating such depressing storylines.

He told The Sun newspaper: "I went into the show to be a comedy part ... Then the gags started disappearing and I had a kid that died of cystic fibrosis and a wife that was violent.

"My character got more and more miserable. I just don't think they've got the writers for gags on that show. They need a few more jokes."

Daniels has appeared on the BBC crime drama 'New Tricks' since quitting 'EastEnders' and is currently set to star in the West End production of 'Les Miserables'.